Hollyoaks have confirmed Lisa Loveday’s exit following on from actress Rachel Adedeji, 28, quitting the show after four years amid a racism row.
The Channel 4 soap teased that the character, who joined in 2016, will bow out in a ‘shocking turn of events’ amid the drama surrounding her cousin Mitchell Deveraux’s wedding to Scott Drinkwell.
The much loved character’s final scenes will air as Hollyoaks returns to screens next month, after being off air since July.
Exit confirmed: Hollyoaks have confirmed Lisa Loveday’s exit following on from actress Rachel Adedeji, 28, quitting the show after four years amid a racism row
The soap recently ran out of episodes after filming halted in March amid the coronavirus pandemic.
However, it’s set to return with a bang in September, with a big focus on feisty Lisa’s departure from Hollyoaks village.
Upcoming scenes have been teased by the soap, with it confirmed that Lisa will attend the wedding of her cousin Mitchell (Imran Adams) to Scott (Ross Adams).
Loved-up Lisa will be seen preparing to go public with her romance to Felix Westwood, but unbeknown to her, the lothario has also been seeing her aunt Martine (Kelle Bryan) behind her back.
Goodbye: The Channel 4 soap teased that the character, who joined in 2016, will bow out in a ‘shocking turn of events’ amid the drama surrounding her cousin Mitchell Deveraux’s wedding to Scott Drinkwell
With the exact details behind her exit being kept under wraps, no doubt fans are set for explosive scenes as Hollyoaks weddings are notorious for being full of drama.
Speaking about her departure, Rachel said: ‘I have had a fantastic time playing the role of Lisa Loveday. I was blessed to have met and worked alongside some of the most talented and professional people during my time on the show.
‘Hollyoaks was an amazing opportunity for me to learn and grow as an actress and I am truly grateful.
Wedding drama: Upcoming scenes have been teased by the soap, with it confirmed that Lisa will attend the wedding of her cousin Mitchell (Imran Adams) to Scott (Ross Adams)
Bad romance: Loved-up Lisa will be seen preparing to go public with her romance to Felix Westwood, but unbeknown to her, the lothario has also been seeing her aunt Martine (Kelle Bryan) behind her back
‘As much as I have enjoyed my time on the show, I have chosen to move on. I am looking forward to all opportunities that now await me.’
Rachel’s exit comes after she accused the show of ‘behind-the-scenes’ racism after criticising their response to the recent furore over the Black Lives Matter movement, leading soap bosses to apologise and announce a plan to ‘stamp out discrimination.’
In June, it was reported that the cast were ‘at war’ following Rachel’s accusations of ‘behind-the-scenes’ racism and claims that co-star Lysette Anthony is ‘actual trash’.
Bosses are now reportedly having a ‘string of meetings’ as there is a ‘real divide’ between the cast.
Lysette Anthony quit Twitter after facing backlash amid the show’s racism row.
Speaking out: Rachel’s exit comes after she accused the show of ‘behind-the-scenes’ racism after criticising their response to the recent furore over the Black Lives Matter movement
The actress, 56, who plays Marnie Nightingale, was branded ‘actual trash’ by Rachel who quit the soap following accusations of ‘behind-the-scenes’ racism.
Lysette deactivated her profile after her former co-star Charlie Clapham, 28, shared a screenshot of a text allegedly from her hitting out at cast members who supported Rachel.
In the messages, Lysette appeared to claim stars who supported Rachel were ‘traitors,’ before adding: ‘Sorry but we’re not going to have a job to come back to if this stuff keeps being disseminated.’
Charlie – who played Freddie Roscoe on Hollyoaks from 2013 to 2017 – shared the series of messages which appeared to be discussing Rachel’s decision to speak out about her experience on the soap.
Making a stand: It was reported that the cast were ‘at war’ following Rachel’s accusations of ‘behind-the-scenes’ racism and claims that co-star Lysette Anthony is ‘actual trash’
Troubled: Bosses are now reportedly having a ‘string of meetings’ as there is a ‘real divide’ between the cast
In the messages, Lysette – who joined the soap in 2016 – wrote: ‘Well, to be fair they both have that embittered, traitor vibe going on.
‘Sorry but we’re not going to have a job to come back to if this stuff keeps being disseminated.’
Re-posting the messages Charlie angrily posted: ‘Dear @chezLysette if supporting a former castmate, whilst she speaks of being racially discriminated against, makes me a traitor… then so be it.
‘As for embittered, you’re currently finishing (finished) where I started out. Salty much? – Best, CC/FR.’
Equally furious at Lysette’s comments, Rachel responded to Charlie’s tweet with a GIF of someone throwing rubbish into a bin.
She wrote: ‘@chezLysette you are actual trash.. Charlie, you are a King and a true ally!! Love you my bro! X x.’
Upset: In June, Lysette Anthony quit Twitter after facing backlash amid the show’s racism row
Drama: Ex-Hollyoaks star Charlie Clapham shared a Whatsapp exchange in which Lysette appeared to make the comments relating to Rachel’s recent claims
Rachel made the decision to leave the show last year, with a Hollyoaks spokesman saying the show was ‘saddened’ by her departure.
The announcement came one day after Hollyoaks also released a statement in response to Rachel’s accusations of racism while working on the show.
Bosses detailed they were ‘deeply shocked and saddened’ by issues detailed by Rachel, and stated the soap has a ‘zero tolerance on racism or any form of discrimination.’
Fury: Equally furious at Lysette’s comments, Rachel responded to Charlie’s tweet with a GIF of someone throwing rubbish into a bin
The show detailed a series of steps they have launched in order to ‘stamp out discrimination.’
The statement comes after Rachel slammed the show’s response to the recent furore over the Black Lives Matter movement.
The star took to her Twitter to say she doesn’t agree with Hollyoaks’ recent post addressing the movement, noting it wasn’t progressive after revealing she was aware of racial slurs and injustices happening on set.
Hollyoaks uploaded a video of actress Kelle Bryan, who plays Martine Deveraux, discussing the movement’s issues.
Fuming: Charlie shared the messages with a tweet slamming Lysette’s comments, which was quickly supported by Rachel and several other stars (pictured in May 2016)
A recent surge in interest of the Black Lives Matter movement was kickstarted by the senseless killing of George Floyd, who died after a white policeman, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes.
This prompted Rachel to talk about her own experience of racism.
The soap star said she was ‘disappointed’ and directly called the show out over racist incidents she says happened during her time on Hollyoaks.
Actress Mandip Gill, who played Phoebe McQueen in Hollyoaks until she left in 2015, replied to Rachel’s statement with a series of clapping emojis.
Departing: Rachel confirmed that she had quit Hollyoaks after four years on the soap. She filmed her exit scenes before the country was placed in lockdown
Racism: Rachel had slammed the show’s response to the recent furore over the Black Lives Matter movement, detailing racist incidents she says happened backstage
And Karl Collins, who played Rachel’s onscreen father Louis Loveday in Hollyoaks until 2019, showed his support and praised her ‘bravery.’
Amanda, who portrayed Holly Cunningham on the show from 2013 to 2019, took to Twitter and Instagram on Sunday to implore her former colleagues to put forth a more concerted effort, amid protests over racial injustice sweeping the globe.
A Hollyoaks spokesperson previously said: ‘We are really concerned to read Rachel’s comments on social media about Hollyoaks this evening. We will be in touch with Rachel directly.’
Upset: The soap star said she was ‘disappointed’ and directly called the show out over racist incidents she says happened during her time on Hollyoaks
Meanwhile, Rachel’s co-star Imran Adams has also quit the soap this week, becoming the second black cast member to leave the show since the racism row.
The star, who plays Mitchell Devereux, will bow out of the soap shortly after his character gets married.
A spokesperson for the show told MailOnline: ‘Imran Adams will be leaving Hollyoaks later this year at the end of his current contract.’
Moving on: Hollyoaks star Imran Adams has left the soap as Mitchell Deveraux becoming the show’s second black cast member to leave since the racism row